With clear waters and beautiful beaches all around, this is the destination for water sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you love to surf, hike, or paddle during your time off, Miyazaki has something fun to offer you. This sunshine-filled prefecture is blessed with good waves and relatively warm water, which means you'll want to spend most of your time in the ocean. Plus, it's full of stunning locations where you can experience a whole variety of different water activities. With an abundance of opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities, Miyazaki surf spots should definitely be on your list of things to experience on a trip to Japan.
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Dive or snorkel through the waters of Miyazaki
Kayak in the crystal clear waters of the Kogawa River
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Although there are plenty of water sports to try in and around Miyazaki, the most popular activity is surfing. Miyazaki has a wonderful collection of world-class surf spots all along its coastline. Southern Kyushu, where Miyazaki beaches are located, is ranked as having the best beaches by the Japanese government because of the water quality and transparency. Miyazaki Prefecture hosted the International Surfing Association's (ISA) World Surfing Games in the past, and many professional surfers from all over the world competed here. Surfing legends such as Tom Curren and Kelly Slater have surfed these iconic Miyazaki waves, and there is even a hidden local surf spot named after Tom Curren.
Miyazaki also offers a large variety of different surf spots, and each has its own current and wave conditions so you can find the perfect place to surf whether you're a beginner or advanced. Best of all, Miyazaki Prefecture is easy to access from the Miyazaki International Airport, especially Aoshima Beach Park. You could even catch a wave or two at a Miyazaki beach before or after your flight because this spot has many surf shops from which to rent a board and get straight into the water.
To the north of Miyazaki is Okuragahama, a superb surf spot near Hyuga City. Okuragahama Beach was named one of the "Best 100 Beach in Japan". It has a 4-kilometer long stretch of coast and a gorgeous wide sandy beach. Since it's such a big area, there are both left and right-hand waves, but the currents can also be quite strong.
Just north of Miyazaki City is a big open beach break known as Kisaki Hama. This is the ideal spot if you're looking for an easily accessible Miyazaki City surfing point that is rideable almost any time of the year. There are few constantly shifting sandbars that offer surfers a variety of swells and tides to keep things interesting.
Kodomo No Kuni and Aoshima Beach Park are both very close to Miyazaki City—they're on a green island attached to the mainland by a causeway. While Aoshima Beach Park is a great spot for a quick surf break, Kodomo No Kuni is a fun park for families. Aoshima resort area is full of great restaurants and has some exciting rides for everyone to enjoy. You'll have plenty to do here in between Miyazaki surf sessions.
To the south of Miyazaki City is Nichinan City where you'll discover Sakaematsu beach. This is the 24th top-rated beach in the Nichinan region and the ideal spot for campers who also love to sea kayak or dive. It has a well-maintained campground which means you can stay right on the beach and enjoy a whole array of water sports.
To the south of Miyazaki City is Koigaura, an idyllic surf spot loved by the locals for its stunning turquoise warm water. This surf point is also preferred by more advanced surfers as there are generally fewer crowds here as well as a variety of more difficult surf conditions.
The crystal clear warm waters of Miyazaki are not only for surfers. If you're yearning to get into the waters but want something less adrenaline-inducing, then you may want to go snorkeling. You could even opt for a scuba diving excursion if you want an underwater adventure. There are two Miyazaki beach destinations, in particular, that are simply perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling.
Sakaematsu beach may be a gorgeous white sandy beach, but the real draw is its transparent water. As a result, this spot is popular for a number of water sports activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and even kayaking. The clear waters and coral reef attract various tropical marine creatures ensuring an enjoyable experience whether you choose to dive or snorkel.
Nobeoka is one of the more famous scuba diving spots in Kyushu. The Kuroshio current ensures that the water is clear and warm resulting in the perfect underwater habitat for numerous species of coral and brightly colored tropical fish. Besides this, the area also has some underwater caves, which make diving here an exciting experience. Alternatively, snorkellers can encounter over 100 types of natural coral when swimming around Shimanoura Island.
If getting into the water doesn't sound appealing to you, you can still enjoy your time in Miyazaki. The prefecture has become known as the destination with some of the best beaches in Kyushu, Japan. So, if you're hoping to spend your leisure time soaking up the sun on a picturesque beach, then you're in luck. These are some of the top-rated beaches in Miyazaki for a relaxing day in the sun:
Both Sumie Beach and Shimo Aso Beach in Kitaura Town, Nobeoka City were rated as one of the best swimming beaches in Kyushu, Japan, making them both a wonderful choice for a beach day. Both these beaches have well-maintained campgrounds as well as fun sports facilities, including a Miyazaki surf camp for visitors to enjoy. Therefore, both these beaches are bustling with activity during the warmer months as locals love to spend time here.
Aoshima is a small green island with a beach town vibe near Miyazaki City. This is one of the top oceanside attractions in the region as it's a terrific place to have a relaxing beach vacation. Although it's on an island, it is easily accessible from Miyazaki City by bus, train, or car via a connecting bridge. There are plenty of restaurants and food stalls as well as live music events to attend on the beach at sunset. This is most definitely the place to be for anyone seeking a relaxing beach day.
The Kogawa River is a tributary that runs into the Kitagawa River. This beautiful transparent waterway originates in the mountainous border between Oita Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture. Nearby the river, visitors can also explore Pakkun Rock and Mt. Kamisan which have caverns and ruins that date back to about 3000 years ago. If you want a different type of water sports experience, then you may want to grab a paddle and head down this stunningly clear river by kayak. The river flow is slow and steady, ensuring a calm and peaceful time on the water without the fear of facing intense rapids.
If you're ready to dive into the crystal clear waters or catch an epic wave while visiting japan, then Mayazaki Prefecture is the ultimate destination for you. Book your trip to this exciting region of Japan with JAL to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor water-based activities. This is your sign to grab your gear and go surfing in Miyazaki, Japan. If you'll be in another part of the country, make sure to opt for JAL Japan Explorer Pass so that you can navigate between all parts of Japan with ease.
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